Mercedes-AMG GLC43 2020 revealed: More power for mid-size SUV bruiser

Mercedes-AMG has confirmed its facelifted bahn-storming GLC43 mid-size SUV will hit Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2020, lining up against the likes of the Audi SQ5 and BMW X3 M40i.

Headlining the changes to the new GLC43 wagon, and its sloped-roof Coupe twin, is a slight 17kW bump in power to 287kW from its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, easily outpunching the 265kW and 260kW outputs from the aforementioned BMW and Audi respectively.

Torque however, remains steady at 520Nm – which also trumps its German competitor’s 500Nm figures – with drive fed to the road via Mercedes’ rear-biased 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and nine-speed automatic transmission.

As a result, the new GLC43 will stop the clock at a hot hatch-bruising 4.9 seconds in the zero-to-100km/h sprint, while top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. Both metrics match its predecessor.

The extra punch comes courtesy of a larger turbocharger, which is mounted closer to the engine for optimal exhaust gas plumbing, while the engine management software has also been recalibrated.

Fuel economy meanwhile, is pegged at 10.2-10.6 litres per 100km and carbon dioxide emissions are rated at 232-242 grams per kilometre when tested on the outdated New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

From the outside, the GLC43 gains the same updates as the rest of the restyled GLC range that debuted earlier this year, including new LED head- and tail-lights, a more pronounced rear diffuser, and reworked side sill panels.

However, specific to the new GLC43 is a bespoke front grille with chrome fins, 19-inch AMG wheels and dual exhaust pipes.

Step inside and occupants are treated to sports seats finished in ‘Artico’ leather and ‘Dinamica’ microfibre, aluminium trim elements and red-stitching highlights throughout.

A flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel with paddle shifters is also fitted, which buyers can option with extra buttons that control various individual drive settings such as suspension and exhaust. 

However, driver’s can also just select between one of five driving modes – ‘Slippery’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’ and ‘Individual’ – while electronic stability control (ESC) settings can be toggled between ‘Stable’ and ‘Agile’.

Taking centre stage in the cabin though, is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system that, like in the A-Class and Sprinter, features four input methods – touchscreen, central touchpad, steering wheel controls and ‘hey Mercedes’ voice activation.

Splayed across a 10.25-inch screen, the MBUX system is complimented by a 12.3-inch all-digital instrumentation, which can also be adjusted to ‘Classic’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Supersport’ settings.

Though still too far away to confirm pricing, expect a slight bump up from the current GLC43’s $103,790 before on-road costs and $111,250 for the five-door wagon and four-door Coupe respectively.

Does the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 strike the perfect balance between performance and practicality? Let us know in the comments.